Valve assembly for dispensers

Abstract

A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The fin operatively engages a portion of the inner passageway forming a first seal and providing controlled dispensing through the orifice. A valve seal may be joined to the valve steam. The vale seal may operatively engage a portion of the valve body forming a second seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve for a dispenser, the valve comprising:
 a valve body extending about a longitudinal axis, the valve body defining an outer surface and an inner passageway, wherein the inner passageway comprises a first passageway opening and a second passageway opening and a passageway surface extending from the first passageway opening to the second passageway opening; and 
 a valve stem extending through the inner passageway, wherein the valve stem comprises an outer stem surface and an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and wherein the valve stem comprises a first portion adjacent to the first passageway opening, a second portion substantially surrounded by the passageway surface, and a third portion adjacent to the second passageway opening; 
 a valve seal joined to the third portion of the valve stem; 
 a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface; and 
 a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface, 
 wherein the inner stem surface defines a channel in fluid communication with the first orifice, 
 wherein the fin comprises a root portion joined to the outer stem surface and a tip portion opposite the root portion, 
 
       wherein the tip portion of the fin operatively engages the passageway surface to form a seal, and
 wherein one or more force concentrators joined to the retaining member and a resilient member disposed adjacent to the retaining member, wherein the one or more force concentrators are configured to engage the resilient member. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the valve stem extends through the first passageway opening and the third portion of the valve stem extends through the second passageway opening. 
     
     
       3. The valve of  claim 1 , comprising an engagement member joined to a portion of the valve stem and a resilient member disposed between the engagement member and a portion of the valve body. 
     
     
       4. The valve of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient member is made from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       5. The valve of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement member comprises one or more force concentrators configured to operatively engage a portion of the resilient member. 
     
     
       6. The valve of  claim 3 , wherein the valve body comprises one or more force concentrators configured to operatively engage a portion of the resilient member. 
     
     
       7. The valve of  claim 1 , comprising a retaining member joined to the third portion of the valve stem, wherein the retaining member is positioned adjacent to the second passageway opening. 
     
     
       8. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice is positioned between the fin and the valve seal. 
     
     
       9. The valve of  claim 1 , comprising a second fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, wherein the second fin comprises a second root portion joined to the outer stem surface and a second tip portion opposite the second root portion, wherein the second tip portion is configured to operatively engage the passageway surface. 
     
     
       10. The valve of  claim 9 , comprising a second orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface and in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the second orifice is positioned between the first fin and the second fin. 
     
     
       11. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends from the first orifice to a dispensing opening. 
     
     
       12. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body, the valve stem, and the valve seal are made from one or more polymeric materials. 
     
     
       13. A pressurizable container for dispensing a product, the pressurizable container comprising:
 a container; 
 a valve body joined to the container, the valve body defining an outer surface and an inner passageway, wherein the inner passageway comprises a first passageway opening and a second passageway opening and a passageway surface extending from the first passageway opening to the second passageway opening; and 
 a valve stem extending through the passageway, wherein the valve stem comprises an outer stem surface and an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface; 
 a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, wherein the fin comprises a root portion joined to the outer stem surface and a tip portion opposite the root portion, and wherein the tip portion of the fin operatively engages the passageway surface to form a first seal; 
 a valve seal joined to the valve stem, wherein the valve seal is configured to operatively engage a portion of the valve body to form a second seal; 
 
       a product delivery device in fluid communication with the valve body;
 a retaining member joined to the valve stem; and 
 one or more force concentrators joined to the retaining member; and 
 
       a resilient member disposed adjacent to the retaining member, wherein the one or more force concentrators are configured to operatively engage the resilient member. 
     
     
       14. The pressurizable container of  claim 13 , comprising a propellant disposed in the container. 
     
     
       15. The pressurizable container of  claim 13 , comprising an engagement member joined to the valve stem and a resilient member disposed between the engagement member and the valve body. 
     
     
       16. The pressurizable container of  claim 15 , comprising one or more force concentrators joined to the engagement member and configured to operatively engage the resilient member. 
     
     
       17. The pressurizable container of  claim 15 , comprising one or more force concentrators joined to the valve body, wherein the one or more force concentrators of the valve body are configured to operatively engage the resilient member. 
     
     
       18. The pressurizable container of  claim 13 , wherein the product delivery device comprises a dip tube adaptor. 
     
     
       19. The pressurizable container of  claim 18 , comprising one or more force concentrators joined to the dip tub adaptor and a resilient member disposed on the dip tube adaptor, wherein the one or more force concentrators are configured to operatively engage the resilient member.